IPDC National Committee

The International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) is the only multilateral forum in the UN system designed to mobilize the international community to discuss and promote media development in developing countries.

The programme provides support for media projects and seeks an accord to secure a healthy environment for the growth of free and pluralistic media.
The objectives of IPDC are set in the context of UNESCO’s New Communication Strategy that is:

To encourage the free flow of information at international and national levels;

To promote a wider and better balanced dissemination of information with no obstacle to freedom of expression.

To strengthen communication capacities in developing countries.

To facilitate implementation of the programme each UNESCO Member State is required to form a National Committee to coordinate programme activities at the national level.

In 2010 United Republic of Tanzania established the National Committee for the IPDC which have the mandate to coordinate and facilitate the implementation of the IPDC programmes at national level and advice the government on all issues related to communication for development.

The IPDC National Committee works under the following activities:

Encourage and promote free flow of information at national level

Encourage and promote open dialogue and transparency of administration at local level and offer a voice of voiceless

Approve plans for the mobilization of resources for the national committee

Serve as a reference group and liaison with other stakeholders

Undertake any other function it thinks necessary or expedient to furthering the interest of the programme.

IPDC Project Proposal
Submission of the Project Proposals
Radios, television stations, media training institutes, professional journalists, media development agencies and community media organization are eligible to write proposals and seek support from IPDC.

The project proposals should focus on IPDC priority areas of:

Promoting press freedom and media pluralism,

Development of community media,

Enhancing professional capacity and

Building partnerships for media improvements

The project proposal must be submitted by using the official IPDC project form before 30 July of every year.

The proposal should not be longer than 5 pages; background information beyond those 5 pages will be useful to assess the proposal and the budget.

Interested and eligible applicants from the United Republic of Tanzania are invited to submit project proposals in any one of the IPDC priority areas. All proposals should be channelled through the UNESCO National Commission for endorsement and final submission to the Inter –Governmental Programme Committee for consideration.

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OUR VISION

To become a centre of excellence in advancing knowledge, promoting peace and innovation in order to contribute towards building a knowledgeable, informed, innovative and patriotic society.

OUR MISSION

To involve stakeholders in execution of UNESCO programmes in its five areas of competence in order to realise the country development goals and to promote peace and understanding among nations.

OUR CORE VALUES

LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS

CALL FOR APPLICATION
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMME 2018

We are pleased to inform you that UNESCO is launching the Young Professionals Programme 2018. The main objective of this programme is to improve the geographical distribution of the secretariet. It also aims at attracting young talented professional to the secretariet.

ELIGIBILITY OF CANDIDATE
- Nationality: a candidate must be from an unrepresented or under-represented country (in this he/she must be a Tanzanian)
- Age: candidates must be 32 years of age or less by UNESCO’s deadline for submissions.
- Education: a university higher degree in the areas requested from the call for applications.
- Languages: fluency in one of the two working languages of UNESCO (French and English).
- Attitude: a commitment to working in a multicultural context and to international public service are essential.
- Experience: initial professional experience is an asset, but is not mandatory.

NOTE:
(a) Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview
(b) Eligible candidates will be invited to fill in an ONLINE application specifically created for UNESCO YPP 2018.
DEADLINE: At National level is 30th May 2018

Submit your application through the following email : sajomwaiteleke@yahoo.com musarochec@yahoo.com, moshikimizi@yahoo.co.uk, or by mail: UNESCO National Commission, P. O. Box 20384, Dar es salaam or by hand to our office which is located at Magogoni street , building next to Public Management College Magogoni.

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NEWS & EVENTS

MEDIA ETHICS AND SELF-REGULATION WORKSHOP.

UNESCO’s Communication and Information Sector together with IPDC National Committee organized a one-day workshop focused on journalism ethics and self-regulation in Tanzania, held at the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Vocational Training venue on 01st March, 2018 in Dar es salaam. The IPDC is the only multilateral forum in the UN system designed to mobilize the international community to discuss and promote media development in developing countries. The Programme not only provides support for media projects but also seeks an accord to secure a healthy environment for the growth of free and pluralistic media in developing countries. This initiative is part of UNESCO’s ongoing promotion of media accountability through the establishment of voluntary self-regulation mechanisms, in the understanding that they are one of the pillars of an environment facilitating media’s role in advancing freedom of expression, democracy and development.
Ethics refers to Moral rules of conduct that guide one’s decisions. Media ethics is the subdivision of applied ethics dealing with the specific ethical principles and standards of media, including broadcast media, film, theatre, the arts, print media and the internet. Media self-regulation is a joint endeavor by media professionals to set up voluntary editorial guidelines and abide by them in a learning process open to the public. By doing so, the independent media accept their share of responsibility for the quality of public discourse in the nation while fully preserving their editorial autonomy in shaping it.
In recent years we have seen an increase in the number of complaints raising questions about journalistic ethics & sensitivity. Hence it is vital to promote self-regulation & educate journalists about a code of ethics that encourages sensitivity & self-regulation.
Why is media self-regulation good for the press?
By promoting standards, self-regulation helps maintain the media’s credibility with the public. This is particularly welcome in new democracies, most of which are also new to an independent press. Media self-regulation helps convince the public that the free media are not irresponsible. At the same time, self-regulation protects the right of journalists to be independent, and to be judged for professional mistakes not by those in power but by their colleagues. When it comes to correcting factual errors or violations of personal rights by the press, satisfaction over the judgments of self-regulatory bodies lessens pressure on the judiciary system to sanction journalists. Media Ethics and Self-Regulation looks closely at the moral dilemmas facing journalists in their day-to-day working lives and examines the self-regulatory bodies that police the various codes of practice.
The objectives of the workshop were:
⎫To build awareness and educate journalists about media ethics, the Code of Professional Practice for Journalists and the mechanism of self-regulation in order to build the capacity of the media for more ethical, sensitive and accurate reporting.
⎫To strengthen the environment for press freedom, journalistic safety and/or self-regulation, for on-line and/or off-line media, through favorable policies and/or practices.
⎫To strengthen the partnership between UNESCO Natcom and IPDC National Committee activities
Ms. Christina Musaroche, the Head of Communication and Information sector at UNESCO National Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania officially opened the workshop. In her opening speech, she thanked the IPDC Committee members, facilitators and participants for attending this workshop on Promoting Media Ethics and Self-regulation to the media practitioners and journalists. She also gave a nutshell introduction about IPDC National Committee and objectives for implementing this workshop.
Four principles of ethical journalism
1. Seek Truth and Report It
Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair.
Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
¥Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work.
¥Verify information before releasing it.
¥Use original sources whenever possible.
¥Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.
2. Minimize Harm
¥Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.
¥Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort.
¥Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage.
3. Act Independently
¥The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.
Journalists should:
¥Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
¥Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and avoid political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or impartiality, or may damage credibility.
4. Be Accountable and Transparent
¥Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.